Page 62 of Zane

"I don't mind. Just a few minutes more. Wow! I could do this all night."

His chuckle warmed her heart. "You've become insatiable."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Mine." He brushed his lips against hers. "Really, sweetheart, I need to move."

"All right." She let go so that he could edge to the side and bring her with him.

"Mother is going to try and convince you to wait six months for the wedding."

"Will she?" The reminder that she was going to meet his parents put a damper on her euphoria.

Seeing the cloud gathering over her face, he tilted her chin up. "I promise you, it's going to be fine. I just need you to trust me."

"All right." Her fingers unclenched, and she spread them over his chest. "What should I wear?"

"Clothes would be nice." He grinned when she poked him in the chest.

"Is dinner formal? Of course it is."

"Wear whatever you like." He shrugged carelessly.

"You're no help," she complained.

"I told you I don't care much about fashion. I usually drive them to despair by donning a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a sports jacket."

"I have to do better than that."

He nipped at her bottom lip and thought how natural she felt in his arms. "You look good in whatever you have on. You especially look great in this getup." He brushed a hand over her bottom.

"You would think so." She couldn't believe she was actually flirting with a man. But he made it so easy. "You're a guy."

"My cross to bear." He was busy exploring her neck.

Her fingers traced the tattoo on the side of his neck.

"Getting used to it?" he murmured.

"I am. It suits you."

Lifting his head, he stared at her in amusement. "Really?"

She continued to trace the outline. "Really."

"Hmm." Bending his head, he continued to nibble on her throat. And before long all conversation ceased.

*****

"You cannot be serious." Michelle Stanhope stared at the couple, a frown marring her normally smooth brow. "You cannot possibly expect anyone to pull off the planning of a wedding in a month."

Kara floundered and looked to Zane to respond. She had changed her outfit four times, much to his amusement, and had settled for a snug-fitting apricot wool dress with a short jacket. Her hair was brushed back from her face, and she was wearing diamonds in her lobes. Zane had given her a ring, an exquisite emerald and sapphire in an ancient setting that had been passed down through generations to the Stanhope brides.

"If you don't like it, I can always buy you something else," he had told her.

But she loved it and had told him so.

"I'm not prepared to wait." The stubborn look on Zane's face was something his family was familiar with.